Soggy...

It's a soggy night here - pouring rain, high humidity and perhaps the let-down of the holiday yesterday. I'm tired, mentally and physically. My parents were here for a few days and many times when they're here now, we work our fingers to the bone because it's much more pleasant to be working with someone else and an extra set of eyes on the kiddos is super helpful. This comes in handy especially when it's larger projects including pick-axes and chainsaws.... in cherry trees... that are really close to power lines... all is well though! Yesterday the weather was perfect for working outside so, much to the dismay of K, who thought we needed to start "the party" at 9 am, we got quite a bit of work done around the yard. We did end up having a nice 4th with a few fireworks... very few "fire" works since I'm completely neurotic about worrying about the fields. The kids did enjoy party poppers, pop-its, smoke balls and snakes so it was all good!

The essential, "please look at mommy!"

Helping to move the "heaby" cherry branch... (the tree needed to be trimmed anyway so grandpa was a smarty and decided that now, while there's fruit on it, would be a good time to do it - yum!)

The aftermath of a run in with a "snake" and an itch that had to be scratched...

The proof that we were both here... looking a little worn out from the work...

The "grand finale" - a $3.25 ladybug that K picked out...

Anyway, it was a nice, laid back holiday when it was all said and done. But now, now I'm at the low end of the swing again. I had to make a VERY conscious effort not to dwell on the "what could have beens" of this year. I had imagined a very hot and sweaty 4th, full of sitting around and making the final baby plans. I had then imagined, and was thankful for the fact that at least I would be newly pregnant, was looking forward to my first appointment a day earlier and the thought that "at least I won't have to go through this holiday 'empty' too"... well, I ended up trying to brush all of those thoughts aside, keep myself busy and be thankful for everything that was in front of me. For the most part, it worked. It's mentally exhausting but a very normal part of this process. At least I hope it is.

Tomorrow will be a new day, the weather should turn for the better again and it should be a nice family day!